Staff Reports
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden warmly welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife, Rachel, to the White House for an important visit. The visit focused on the designation of Kenya as a non-NATO ally, which is a crucial part of resolving the crisis in Haiti.
Biden greets Kenya's president ahead of major military designation https://t.co/3YyRQSP7Tu
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) May 23, 2024
Mr. Ruto’s arrival included traditional White House ceremonies, such as honor guards, marching bands, and a multigun salute on the South Lawn. Notably, he is the first African leader in 16 years to have an official visit to the U.S.
Despite the pomp and circumstance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, declined a request for Mr. Ruto to address a joint session of Congress, citing “scheduling constraints.” Instead, the speaker offered the Kenyan Embassy more than 90 minutes of one-on-one engagement with top leaders of both parties in the House and Senate.
During the welcoming ceremony on the White House South Lawn, President Biden emphasized the strong partnership between the United States and Kenya. He highlighted their collaboration on important challenges such as health security, economic security, cybersecurity, and climate security. President Biden also praised Kenya’s role as a valuable ally in the fight against terror groups in Africa, such as the Islamic State.
In his remarks, Mr. Ruto expressed his commitment to finding solutions to the issues affecting Kenya and East Africa. He emphasized the importance of building a global partnership and leadership to address regional and global challenges, particularly insecurity and debt distress.
Following the arrival ceremony, there was a scheduled Oval Office meeting and a joint press conference with journalists from both nations. Additionally, Mr. Ruto was set to join the Bidens for a state dinner at the White House, showcasing the significance of his visit.
President Biden’s decision to designate Kenya as a non-NATO ally is a significant step in deepening the ties between the U.S. and Kenya. This move comes at a time when Russia and China are also seeking to strengthen their partnerships with Kenya. The designation is intended to enhance the security partnerships between the two countries, particularly in the fight against terrorism in Africa.
Furthermore, Mr. Ruto’s commitment to sending 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti as part of a multilateral security mission was welcomed by the Biden administration. This action is seen as a demonstration of global leadership by Kenya and a valuable contribution to addressing gang violence in Haiti.
Overall, the visit of President Ruto and the discussions held at the White House underscore the importance of the U.S.-Kenya partnership in addressing critical security and global challenges.
